Cecil T. “Sonny” McElveen, 78, husband of Patricia Graham McElveen, died Monday, August 7, 2017 at Palmetto Health-Tuomey.

Born in Turbeville, he was a son of the late Reuben Gibbons and the late Lorena McElveen Gibbons. Mr. McElveen was a member of Northside Memorial Baptist Church. He was retired from Farmers Telephone Coop. and currently worked for Cut Rate Drugs. Sonny was a gentle and kind person, always thinking of others first.

Survivors include his wife of Sumter; a son, Dr. C. Ty McElveen (Rhonda) of Beaufort; two daughters, Melissa Lewonuk and Mandi Burnette (Edd) both of Sumter; five grandchildren, Oliver McElveen, Chloe McElveen, Andrew Reardon, Alex Reardon, and Lauren Turbeville; one brother, Denny Gibbons (Diana) of Columbia; three sisters, Bobby Strange of Charleston, Lois Ann Hardy of Sumter, and Elvera McCue (Dee) of Ormond Beach, Fla.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Larry Elvin Gibbons; and a sister, Myrna Griggs.

A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at Northside Memorial Baptist Church with the Rev. Neal Sweet and the Rev. Jimmy Holley officiating.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday at Northside Memorial Baptist Church.

Memorials may be made to Northside Memorial Baptist Church, 1004 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29153.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.